By Treiston Joseph
Three sporting disciplines will headline the third edition of the Islamic Sports Solidarity Federation Islamic Games from September 22 in Indonesia. Athletics, Taekwondo and Karate will be the three disciplines, according to president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) KA Juman Yassin at a press conference on Tuesday.
Yassin said that while other disciplines were available to be represented, the three disciplines were selected due to lack of opportunity as well as funding for the event which costs US $ 3,715 per person.
“So we decided to send the best team we can so in the future once we get better funding then we will be able to send everybody in all the disciplines,” Yassin told media representatives present.
Further, Yassin believes that the seven-member squad is capable of doing well and wished the team success during the press conference.
“I hope and I’m looking forward for the team especially Mr. George (Winston) as he has recently been in Russia (World Championships) and I wish them well,” Yassin stated.
Ramjeet Ramphal, who will be going as the Chef-de-mission was optimistic about the trip and noted that the competition might be tough, the team will need to rise to the occasion.
“I know the competition is going to be hard but we have to rise to the challenge and we have to take it on,” Ramphal commented.
Ramphal was also in high spirits about having some extra time in the Indonesia that should allow the team to become acclimatized to the conditions.
“I know it’s going to be a hard travel, it’s two days of travelling and because of the two days of travelling we are glad that we will have the opportunity to relax and when I say relax I mean our athletes will get a chance to train and get themselves acclimatized in preparation for the meeting,” Ramphal mentioned.
